Hughes won with an unofficial tally of 18,260 votes. Surprisingly - the seat was a Liberal stronghold for years - her nearest competition was the riding's Conservative Party candidate Ray Sturgeon, of Thessalon, who received 10,568 votes. Liberal Party candidate François Cloutier, of Moonbeam, garnered 5,102 votes to claim third place. Lorraine Rekmans, of the Green Party, got 1,176 votes.

Hughes's success marked one of many NDP victories Monday night. Party Leader Jack Layton and his team secured official Opposition status with 103 seats, while the Conservatives finally got their long-sought majority with 166. The Liberals took a severe beating with 34 seats, while the Bloc Quebecois only managed four. The Green Party won its first seat.

Closer to home, however, NDP MP Tony Martin lost his seat to Conservative Bryan Hayes.

When Hughes entered the Coachman Steakhouse, where more than 50 of her supporters had gathered, she received a thunderous cheer.

"Unbelievable. Thank you, everybody. Oh my God," Hughes said. "This is just awesome. What a great way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NDP.

"I appreciate the confidence that people have given me, I appreciate the support that I received from the First Nations people and my family that is here with me tonight."

She was also joined by her mother, Simone Pitre.

When Hughes heard that the NDP was crowned the official Opposition, she let out an enthusiastic "Woo."

She said she was thrilled her party almost tripled its number of seats in the House of Commons. In 2008, the NDP won 37 seats compared to 103 Monday.

Hughes also commended Layton's leadership for the party's massive jump.

She said that throughout the campaign, support was solid for the NDP in many parts of the country.

"And I'm sure at one point, we will be forming the government," Hughes added. "I'm looking forward to that moment."

She attributed her win to the work she and her staff did since she was first elected in October 2008.

Hughes said she plans to carry on with the level of service she has delivered to the riding. She has held clinics in many communities, which she will continue.

The MP also intends to help those communities suffering from high unemployment, assist those suffering from a lack of health-care services and help communities improve their economies.

Hughes contends her support of the long-gun registry did not erode support. During the last election, she said she would vote against the registry, which upset some constituents when she, instead, voted to keep it.

"It's 15 years, the registry is in place, and many of the problems with it have been fixed."

Hughes was disappointed that Prime Minister Stephen Harper won a majority.

"But at the end of the day, we have what we have. And we're looking forward to getting back to Ottawa and working," she added.

Even though the Green Party only managed one seat, it was counted as a huge victory, with leader Elizabeth May winning her riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands in British Columbia.

AMK Green Party candidate Lorraine Rekmans was at Fireside Classic in Elliot Lake with party volunteers and friends watching results. The group was animated and spoke excitedly about Canada's political landscape changing. While there were groans of disappointment, there were also positive words, especially about how happy Rekmans was that May won.

But Rekmans said election results also paint a stark picture.

"Overall, what the numbers say to me is Canada is polarized," she added.

"We have lost our middle class and we see that polarization reflected in a left-right (government)."

Sitting on that right is Conservative candidate Sturgeon. In a telephone interview from his home, he said he was happy his party won a majority, but was disappointed AMK will not have a "strong voice" in Parliament. "And our riding really needs to have a member of Parliament who is at the table," he added.

Sturgeon especially credited his campaign, and campaign team, for his success at the polls.

"I think I was a credible candidate and I got a lot of positive feedback," he added. "I have experience in government at the assistant deputy minister level, and as I went around to the communities, people appreciated that."